THE grieving family of a teenager who was stabbed to death in a street is appealing for people to come forward to help catch his killer.

Wahab Zaaki, of Old Church Road, Chingford, was stabbed several times in the chest on Friday last week in Prospect Hill, Walthamstow.

His father, Amin Zaaki, 41, was working in Germany when he received a phone call to say his 18-year-old son was dead.

He said: “We want to make a plea that anyone with information should please come forward and help the police and bring them to justice. That is all we are asking for.

“He never had a fight with anyone or hurt anyone.”

The teenager lived at home with his two sisters aged one and seven, and mother, Barkis Dauda, who said he was “naturally gifted” at art and was always sketching members of the close-knit family.

He had completed an access course at Waltham Forest College, in Forest Road, Walthamstow, and had ambitions to study for a degree in art.

His parents strongly dispute allegations in the national press that their son, nicknamed “Killa” by friends, was in a gang. Though they admit that he was once arrested by police for carrying a knife near his Chingford home.

His father said: “He was a quiet boy and was shy. His friends called him the ‘peacemaker’ because he was good at breaking up rows.

“He wasn’t involved in gangs. ‘Killa’ was just a silly nickname which we didn’t even know about before this happened.”

Almost speechless with grief, his mother recalled the last time she saw her son, on Friday, when she prepared his dinner.

She said he had received a phone call at 9pm and immediately left to go to Walthamstow, although he didn’t tell her why.

Less than three hours later, Mr Zaaki was stabbed several times and left to die on the pavement.

“I expected him to come back for his tea, but he didn’t,” she said.

An ambulance was called to the scene, but the teenager was pronounced dead en route to hospital.

The Homicide and Serious Crime Command are investigating and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Inspector Phil Rickells said: "We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen an altercation take place on Shernhall Street prior to emergency services arriving.”

Anyone with information can call 8345 1570 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 17-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and remains in custody at an east London police station.